Evaluating Museum Service Quality: A Scale Validation and Test

Abstract

Museums are places which offer leisure, entertainment and tourism opportunities. Investigating the service quality dimensions in museums help researchers and managers to better understand visitors' satisfaction and therefore, enhance their experience. The purpose of this paper was to elucidate the perceived quality dimensions' of a local museum at Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil, proposing and validating a scale. The research methodology applied was quantitative and 617 visitors were surveyed. Data were compiled using Exploratory Factor Analysis to reveal the perceived quality dimensions. Results showed that there are at least four dimensions concerning the museum service quality, named: (1) quality of information, (2) customer service, (3) communication and (4) tangible aspects. The fourth dimension deserves greater attention by museums' managers, since it was the most salient one.